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Tachographs: rules for drivers and operators

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1. Overview

Tachographs record information about driving time, speed and distance. They’re used to make sure drivers and employers follow the rules on drivers’ hours.

When you need a tachograph

You must use a tachograph if the vehicle you’re driving comes under assimilated rules (previously called EU rules) or AETR rules.

Find out if assimilated or AETR rules apply to the passenger carrying vehicle or goods vehicle that you’re driving.

Exemptions

You do not have to use a tachograph if your vehicle is not covered by assimilated rules or if it’s exempt from assimilated rules on drivers’ hours.

Types of tachograph

There are 4 types of tachograph:

  • analogue
  • digital
  • smart 1
  • smart 2 (either full or transitional)

All vehicles can use a full smart 2 tachograph. You can use older types of tachograph depending on when your vehicle was first registered.

Date the vehicle was registered Type of tachograph you can use
Before 1 May 2006 You can use any type of tachograph
Between 1 May 2006 and 14 June 2019 You must use either a digital or smart tachograph
Between 15 June 2019 and 20 February 2024 You must use either a smart 1 or a full or transitional smart 2 tachograph
Between 21 February 2024 and 23 December 2025 You must use a full or transitional smart 2 tachograph
From 24 December 2025 You must use a full smart 2 tachograph

Information from digital and smart tachographs is saved on smart cards so it can be checked later. There are different types of card for:

Further information

Read the guides on drivers’ hours and tachographs for goods vehicles and passenger service vehicles (PSVs). They include the rules on:

  • analogue tachographs - including proper record keeping and filling in ‘centrefield’ entries
  • digital and smart tachographs - including using drivers’ cards, lost, stolen or faulty cards, setting the time and manual record keeping
  • common rules for all tachographs - including ‘multi-manning’ and keeping second driver records, recording other work, rest-days and days off
  • responsibilities of operators - including calibrating and maintaining tachograph equipment
  • what happens if you do not follow the rules

There are specific rules for tachographs and horse boxes or trailers and tachographs and recovery vehicles.

2. Tachographs in light vehicles

You need to use a tachograph if you are driving a smaller vehicle (such as a 4x4) for towing and both of the following apply:

Fitting a tachograph

Read the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) guidance on where you can fit a tachograph unit in a vehicle.

Buying or leasing a vehicle

If you buy or lease a vehicle and it comes under the assimilated (previously called EU rules) or AETR rules on drivers’ hours you’ll need to make sure it’s designed to have a tachograph fitted.

Phone DVSA if you’ve already bought a vehicle and are having problems fitting it with a tachograph. They can tell you where your nearest Approved Tachograph Centre is.

The Tachograph Centre can give you advice and help you get it fitted. It’s not always possible to fit a tachograph, however.

DVSA
0300 123 9000
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

Further help

For further information about fitting tachographs in light vehicles email the DVSA tachograph section.

DVSA tachograph section
tachosection@dvsa.gov.uk